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RETROSPECTIVE. 



A DECADE 



OF THE 



Kittochtinny Historical Society, 

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. 



'The Work of the Society. 
1898-1908. 



»* 



PAPER BY HON. M. A. FOLTZ. 



Repository Printery, Chambersburg, Pa. 






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PREFATORY. 



At the January meeting of the Kittochtinny Historical 
Society. (1908), Vice President T. J. Brereton, Secretary 
J. R. Gilmore and Captain G. W. Skinner were appointed a 
committee to arrange a program for a proper observance of 
its Tenth Anniversary. The committee met on the evening 
of the 15th of February and decided to hold the anniversary 
in the Assembly rooms of The Chambersbnrg Trust Com- 
pany, Tuesday evening, February 25. Upon request, Hon. 
M. A. Foltz consented to prepare a resume of the work of 
the society. No formal program was proposed, but as 
will be seen one later was arranged for the occasion and 
carried out that proved instructive, entertaining and enjoy- 
able for the large and appreciative audience. 

At the regular meeting, March 25, a resolution was adopt- 
ed directing the Executive Committee to have 300 copies of 
the paper read by Mr. Foltz printed in pamphlet form for 
distribution among members, and for mailing to kindred 
associations and Public Libraries, preliminary to its appear- 
ance in the large volume which will complete the first decade 
of the Society. 

J. R. Gilmore, 
Chambersburg, Pa., Secretary. 

April 7, 1908. 



AN EPOCHAL PERIOD. 



Tenth Anniversary of The Kittochtinny Historical Society — Large 
anj Appreciative Audience — Address by Dr. Martin, Founder 
of the Society; Paper by Hon. M. A. Foltz, its Third Presi- 
dent; Presence and Address by State Librarian Montgomery — 
Banquet, Dance and Other Social Features. 

The tenth anniversary celebration of the Kittochtinny 
Historical Society, in the assembly rooms of The Chambers- 
burg Trust Company, Tuesday evening, February 25, 1908, 
was attended by the wives, daughters and sweethearts of the 
members and over one hundred invited guests. As an 
epochal period in the life of the society, the retiring presi- 
dent and committee of arangements succeeded in surround- 
ing the event with a social and literary charm that made it 
one of the most brilliant occasions of the season. 

The assembly room was almost entirely filled, when after 
a selection by the Chambersburg orchestra, President Pom- 
eroy spoke a few words of greeting to the members and 
guests. He was followed by music by a quartet composed 
of John W. and Charles E. Hoke, B. B. Holler and T. M. 
Nelson, Jr., after which Rev. Dr. Samuel A. Martin, Presi- 
dent ot the Shippensburg State Normal School, was intro- 
duced. It was at the instance of Dr. Martin, then president 
of Wilson College, that the society was founded, and he 
spoke concerning this and felicitated it upon the work now 
being carried on. Miss Mae C. Koehler, of Penn Hall, next 
sang a solo. Hon. M. A. Foltz was then presented by Presi- 
dent Pomeroy and delivered an interesting and comprehen- 
sive address on "The Work of the Society." 

Miss Estelle Hitchcock, of Wilson College, sang and she 
was followed by State Librarian Dr. Thomas Lynch Mont- 
gomery, who made a brief address on the value of biograph- 



ical and family research. The quartet again sang - , and 
while the orchestra played the guests were escorted to the 
banquet room, where a dainty supper was served. 

When coffee and cigars were served, President Pomeroy, 
acting as toastmaster, called upon the following gentlemen, 
who happily responded: B. M. Nead, Esq., Harrisburg; Dr. 
William Mann Irvine, Mercersburg; the Rev. John Allan 
Blair and Judge W. Rush Gillan. At the close of the ban- 
quet, the affairs of the society were turned over to President- 
elect Brereton, who thanked the members for the honor 
bestowed upon him. 

The gitests of the evening were received by President and 
Mrs. A. Xevin Pomeroy, assisted by the following ex- 
presidents of the society and their wives: Dr. S. A. Martin 
and Mrs. Martin. Hon. M. A. Foltz, Mr. John G. Orr and 
Mrs. Orr, Joshua W. Sharpe and Mrs. Sharpe, Hon. \Y. 
Rush Gillan and Mrs. Gillan, and President-elect Brereton 
and Mrs. Brereton. Among other members and guests 
present, were : 

President Reaser, Dean and Mrs. Vieh, Dr. and Mrs. Ryder. 
Misses Hitchcock, Koehler, Wallace. Lund, Barr, Kennedy and Stev- 
enson, of Wilson College; Dr. and Mrs. Ihlseng, of Penn Hall; Dr. 
and Mrs. Irvine, of Mercersburg Academy; Hon. Thos. L. Mont- 
gomery, Hon. Benj. M. Nead and the Misses Nead, Mr. and Mrs. 
Irvin C. Elder, the Misses Bard, Mrs. Nixon, Mrs. W. E. Foltz and 
son Herbert S., Mr. and Mrs. Criswell, of Pittsburgh, Dr. and Mrs. 
W. P. Skinner, Mr. and Mrs. Jno. M. McDowell, the Misses Wood, 
Rev. Dr. W. C. Cremer, Miss Shumaker, Colonel and Mrs. Gilmore, 
Mrs. Ellea G. Shumaker, Rev. and Mrs. E. V. Collins, Mr. and Mrs. 
H. A. Riddle, Rev. and Mrs John Allan Blair, Capt. and Mrs. George 
\V. Skinner, Hon. T. M. Mahon, -Mr. and Mrs. A. Buchanan, Dr. and 
Mrs. P. B. Montgomery. Mrs. Chas. W. Cremer, Mr. and Mrs. Win. 
S. Hoerner, Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Kennedy, Rev. and Mrs. A. F. Waldo. 
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hoke, Mrs. Walter K. Sharpe, Mr. and Mrs. 
B. B. Holler, Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Nelson, Jr., and Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. 
Sydney Johnson, of Tennessee, Dr. G. F. Piatt and Miss Piatt, Rev. 
Luther A Oates, oi Bridgeton. N. J., Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Irvin W. 
Hendricks. Mr. and Mrs. Morris Lloyd, Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Black. 
J. M. Runic, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Strite, W. J. Zacharias. 

The Misses King, McKeehan, Curriden, Davison, Bard, Gillan, 
Hoopes, Oyler, Wiestling, Sharpe, McDowell. 

Messrs. Dr. Chas. F. Palmer. John S. Mcllvaine, A. W. Gillan, 
John H. Pomeroy, Herbert C. Foltz, Ross K. Gilbert. Chas. E. Hoke, 
Dr. .1. P. Beibert, Dr, John K. Gordon, Robert Criswell. David Riddle, 
Dr. C. L. Hartman, G. Herbert Wood, Parker Skinner, Chambers 
George, Hunter Kiddle. M. Ritcbey; Robt. Nelson, Jack Vernet, Alex. 
Sharpe, Geo. Hollinger, D. K. Appenzellar, Thos. L. Brereton, Robert 
Seilhamer, John Buchanan, John Tull. 



Mr. Brereton was chairman of the committee, which plan- 
ned and carried out so successfully the celebration. His 
associates were Col. Gilmore and Capt. Skinner. 

After the banquet the rooms were surrendered to the 
juniors, who wound up the proceedings with an enjoyable 
dance extending into the wee sma' hours. 

Before the entertainment, at a brief business meeting of 
the society, the election of officers for the ensuing year was 
held, and the following gentlemen were chosen : 

President, Mr. Thos. J. Brereton. 

First Vice President. Linn Harbaugh, Esq. 

Second Vice President, Mr. John S. Mcllvaine. 

Secretary, Col. James R. Gilmore. 

Treasurer, D. O. Gehr, Esq. 

Executive Committee: Irvin C. Elder, Esq., Hon. John 
W. Hoke. Rev. E. V. Collins, Capt. G. W. Skinner, and 
Hon. M. A. Foltz. 

Dr. W. F. Skinner was elected a member of the society. 



PAPER BY HON. M. A. FOLTZ 
ON 

THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY. 



It was on the evening of the 3rd of February, 1898, that 
a number of gentlemen, on invitation of Rev. Dr. S. A. 
Martin, President of Wilson College, met at his residence to 
consider the formation of a historical society. Assembled 
in the spacious parlors were Judge Stewart, J. S. Mcllvaine, 
B. L. Maurer, H. A. Riddle, W. H. H. Mackey, J. W. 
Sharpe, Chauncey Ives, James Cree, James R. Gilmore, Dr. 
Johnston McLanahan, Frank Mehaffey, John M. McDowell, 
William Alexander, John G. Orr, A. Nevin Pomeroy, Dr. 
George F. Piatt, Ed. B. Wiestling, Prof. M. R. Alexander, 
D. O. Gehr and M. A. Foltz. 

In stating the object of the meeting, Dr. Martin said that 
there was a wealth of material never yet touched upon that 
would enlist the interest of a local historical society. Jndge 
Stewart was called to the chair and John M. McDowell, 
Esq., was chosen secretary. 

As a result of a free expression on the part of all present, 
a committee of five was appointed to prepare and submit a 
plan of organization, and report a constitution and by-laws. 
After a recess of an hour it reported upon the name and 
object of the society, and a constitution and by-laws, which 
were adopted. 

The infant was named the Kittochtinny Historical 
Society, the purpose to be the collection and preservation of 
matters or historic interest, and the encouragement and cul- 
tivation of interest in historical research. 

Officers were then elected as follows: Hon. John Stewart, 
president; Rev. S. A. Martin, D. D., first vice president; M. 
A. Foltz. second vice president; H. A. Riddle, treasurer; B. 



L. Maurer, secretary. Executive committee, James R. Gil- 
more, William Alexander, John G. Orr, Dr. McLanahan 
and Major Chauncey Ives. 

The meeting was in every way a success, and the stories 
indulged in by members relating to John Brown and his 
lieutenants, whilst in Chambersburg, were instructive and 
entertaining. 

The first regular meeting of the society was held at the 
home of Dr. Martin, again at his invitation, Thursday even- 
ing, February 24, 1898. The attendance was large and 
great interest manifested in the proposed work of the society. 

Secretary B. L. Maurer read a paper on "The Old Church 
Yard." No spot in the Cumberland Valley, he said, was 
held in deeper reverence than the cemetery of the Falling 
Spring Presbyterian Church, where, quoting Mr. Garrard, 
"Amid the swaying of the pensile boughs of this sacred 
wood we silently ponder over the cold marble that tells in 
few brief lines the beginning and ending of some of those 
who toiled and wearied not in the good fight of faith and 
liberty in the Cumberland Valley, and who for opinion's sake 
risked their lives and fortunes for a home of free thought in 
this distant-land of promise." 

Mr. Maurer also took up the "Old Indian Burying 
Ground,'' lying just south of the "Old Church Yard," which 
had been the burial ground of the Indians for years before 
our town was laid out, and to which the Indians of the 
West were wont to send delegations to see if it had been 
disturbed in violation of a contract. About 1834 the visit- 
ing delegation found it disturbed by cultivation, and leaving 
the spot with tears and groans, returned to their homes in 
the West, and have never visited the place from that day 
to this. 

All this and much more brought out by Mr. Maurer's 
paper elicited a spirited discussion. Mrs. Sarah Denig, 
answered the historian of the evening was the (then) only 
living witness to this last visit of the Indians to their bury- 
ing ground in 1834. Another interesting point brought out 
by the author of the paper, and a subject of discussion, was 
the course of the Falling Spring through the graveyard, 
which, according to tradition, was changed by the beavers 



IO 

building 1 a dam. Incidentally the former course of the 
Conococheague was also referred to. 

The first meeting- of the society was voted a success, and 
as good night was said, Dr. and Airs. Martin were thanked 
for their hospitality. 

Thus it was for Dr. Martin, at that time the head of our 
chief educational institution, to become the founder of this 
society, and the means of successfully launching an institu- 
tion that has in many essentials, in line with its object, mod- 
estly endeavored to collect and perpetuate matters of his- 
torical interest and research. Four volumes, aggregating 
1.000 pages, comprise the work of the society up to Febru- 
ary, 1905. The fifth volume, which will comprise the con- 
tributions of the past three years, and complete the decade 
we are commemorating this evening, will furnish a total of 
fourteen or fifteen hundred printed pages to the archives of 
the Kittochtinny Historical Society. 

The story of the work and achievements of the society in 
ten years, not to occupy too much of your time and atten- 
tion, is best told by a classification and presentation of the 
subjects handled. 

In securing, collating and preparing the historical inci- 
dents, legends and traditions of the county and Cumberland 
Valley, ihe papers show, for the most part, industry and 
careful research. The subjects, classified, relate to 

1. THE RED MAN AND COLONIAL PERIOD. 

"The Indians of the Valley." By Major Ives. 
"Colonial Defences of Franklin County. Mr. Hoerner. 
"Colonel Sam Brady, the Indian Hunter." Mr. Collins. 
"John Wilkins, Carlisle Merchant and Indian Trader." 

Mr. Brereton. 
"The Indians of the Lower Susquehanna." Robert C. 

Bair, York, Pa. 
"Penn's Land Purchases." Mr. Seilhamer. 

2. THE EARLY HIGHWAYS. 

"Braddock's Route." Major Ives. 

"Our Old Highways." (Two Papers). Mr. Orr. 

3. RELATING TO THE BARRENS, etc. 

"The Traditions Relating to the Barrens of the Lime- 
stone Lands of the Cumberland Valley, with Special 
Reference to Franklin County." Mr. Orr. 

"The Tradition Concerning Our Limestone Lands." Mr. 
Cooper. 



II 

4. RELATING TO OUR MINERAL WEALTH. 

"Franklin County, Past, Present and Future, Geologi- 
cally and Mineralogically Considered." Colonel 
Deming, Harrisburg. 

"Topography of Franklin County." Dr. Ihlseng. 

5. EARLY SCHOOL DAYS AND SCHOOLS. 

"Early School Girls of the Conococheague." Mr. Seil- 

hamer. 
"The Schools of Our Fathers." Prof. Alexander. 
"The Old Academy." Mr. Cree. 

6. RELATING TO THE SCOTCH-IRISH. 

"The Origin and Early History of the Scotch-Irish." 
Dr. Crawford. 

"Mother Cumberland." Mr. Seilhamer. 

"A Backward Glance at the Traits, Traditions and Per- 
sonality of the Early Scotch-Irish." Mr. Foltz. 

"Scotch-Irish Occupancy and Exodus." Judge Stewart. 

"An Ancestry Hunt in Ulster." Mr. Seilhamer. 

"Missing Branches of Our Oldest Family." Mr. Seil- 
hamer. 

"Some Missing and Misplaced Ancestors." Mr. Seil- 
hamer. 

"Old Conococheague Families." Mr. Seilhamer. 

"Contents of a Barrel." Mr. Seilhamer. 

"Scenes and Incidents of the Cumberland Valley." Mr. 
Brereton. 

7. G3RMAN SETTLEMENT AND GERMAN INFLUENCE. 

"An Early Literary By-Path Along the Conococheague." 
Mr. Harbaugh. 

"The German Settlement." Mr. Seilhamer. 

"German Influence in Pennsylvania, with Special Refer- 
ence to Franklin County." Mr. Foltz. 

"Facts Suggested by German Influence Paper." Mr. 
Cooper. 

S. CHAMBERSBURG AND ITS FOUNDERS. 

"The Founders of Chambersburg." Mr. Seilhamer. 
"Benjamin Chambers." Mr. Cooper. 

9. THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

"Path Valley Before the Revolution." Mr. Pomeroy. 
"The Cumberland Valley in the Revolutionary War." 
Captain John Hays, Carlisle, Pa. 

10. THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 

"The Relations that the People of Cumberland and 
Franklin Counties Bore to the Whiskey Insurrec- 
tion." C. P. Humrich, Carlisle, Pa. 

"General Washington in Franklin County." Mr. Orr. 

11. TRADITIONS OF AN EARLY DAY. 

"The Doctor Woman of Southampton Township." Mr. 

Orr. 
"Truths and Traditions of Early Days." Mr. Harbaugh. 
"Lewis, the Robber and Outlaw." Joshua W. Sharpe, 

Esq. 
"The Old Church Yard." Mr. Maurer. 
"A Romance of Cowan's Gap." Mr. Maurer. 



12 

12. ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 

"The Story of an Ancient Law Suit." Mr. Hoerner. 
"Manners and Morals One Hundred Years Ago." Dr. 

Martin. 
"Transitions of a Century." Mr. Foltz. 

13. STATESMEN, SOLDIERS AND THEOLOGIANS, etc. 

"Franklin County in State and Nation Building." Mr. 

Nead. 
"James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States." 

Judge Gillan. 
"Dr. Hugh Mercer and Colonel Robert Magaw." Dr. 

Montgomery." 
"The Men of Middle Spring." Mr. Seilhamer. 
"The Christian Scholar— Dr. Philip Schaff." Mr. Har- 

baugh. 
"Dr. John Williamson Nevin, the Theologian." Rev. 

John C. Bowman, D. D., Lancaster, Pa. 
"Rev. Dr. E. Elnathan Higbee." Prof. George F. Mull, 

Lancaster, Pa. 
"Culbertson Row." Mr. Orr. 

14. RELATING TO OLD FAMILIES. 

"History of the Wilson Family." Judge Gillan. 
"J. Orr & Brothers." Mr. Orr. 

15. EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS. 

"John M. Cooper, Journalist and Historian." Mr. Foltz. 
"A Notable Publication House in Chambersburg, 1835- 
64." Mr. Foltz. 

16. RELATING TO INSURRECTIONS. 

"The Buckshot War." Mr. Cooper. 

"John Brown." James P. Matthews, Esq., Washington. 

1). C. 
"What I Saw in Charlestown, Va., in December, 1859." 

Mr. Maurer. 

17. RELATING TO SOME OF OUR POETS. 

Some of Our Native Poets." Mr. Harbaugh. 
"Isabella Oliver, an Early Poetess of the Cumberland 
Valley." Joshua W. Sharpe. 

18. VILLAGE AND TOWNSHIP SKETCHES. 

"Fort Loudon." Rev. James M. Mullan, Baltimore. Mil. 

"St. Thomas." C. M. Deatrich. 

"North Hamilton Township." C. M. Deatrich. 

19. OTHER LOCAL SUBJECTS. 

"The Flora and Fauna of Franklin County." Dr. Palmer. 

"A Forgotten Battle of the Civil War." Unknown 
Author. 

"An Account of Jenkin's Raid." By a Lady of Cham- 
bersburg. 

•Our Banks." Mr. Mcllvaine. 

"New England and Federal Hills." Mr. Maurer. 

"The Falling Spring." Mr. Maurer. 

"Our Mountain Streams." Mr. Maurer. 

"Personal Tickings from a Political Field." William 
1. Cook, Baltimore, Md. 

"Early Grisl Mills of Lurgan Township." Mr. Orr. 



13 

"Wagons and Wagoners of 1840." B. K. Goodyear, Esq,., 

Carlisle, Pa. 
"Arnold Brooks; a Noted Colored Man of Mercersburg/' 

Mr. Harbaugh. 

Two of the papers read before the society by Mr. Seil- 
liamer were not furnished for publication in the volumes 
that have appeared, viz : 

"Penn's Land Purchases from the Indians," and 
'an Medlas Res Scripta Est." ("This Writing is in the 
Midst of Things.") 

Also— One by Mr. Maurer and one by Mr. Matthews. 
In all, about eighty papers have been prepared and read 
before the society by the following: 

No. of 
WRITERS. Papers 

Major Chauncey Ives 2 

Rev. Ernest V. Collins 1 

Thomas J. Brereton 2 

William S. Hoerner 2 

George O. Sellhamer 12 

J. G. Orr 8 

A. Nevin Pomeroy . . 1 

Hon. M. A. Poltz 5 

John M. Cooper, Esq 4 

Linn Harbaugh, Esq 5 

Bev. J. A. Crawford, D. D 1 

Hon. John Stewart 1 

Hon. W. Rush Gillan 2 

Hon. B. M. Nead 1 

Dr. John Montgomery 1 

Dr. John C. Bowman, Lancaster, Pa 1 

Dr. M. C. Ihlseng ... 1 

Rev. S. A. Martin, D. D 1 

Joshua W. Sharpe, Esq 2 

B. Latrobe Maurer 7 

Prof. M. R. Alexander 1 

James P. Matthews, Esq 2 

James W. Cree 3 

Rev. James M. Mullan 1 

C. M. Detrich, Esq 2 

Dr. Charles F. Palmer 1 

J. S. Mcllvaine, Esq 1 

Robert C. Bair, York, Pa 1 

Captain John Hays, Carlisle, Pa 1 

C. P. Humiich, Carlisle, Pa 1 

Prof. George F. Mull, Lancaster, Pa 1 

Colonel Deming, Harrisburg, Pa 1 

B. K. Goodyear, Carlisle, Pa 1 

William I. Cook, Esq., Baltimore, Md 1 

Total 78 
But this was by no means all of the work of the society. 



H 

Charnbersburg was chosen as the place of meeting of the 
Scotch-Irish Congress — May 30 to June 2, 1901 — upon 
invitation of The Kittochtinny Historical Society, and by it 
all the arrangements were made for the reception and enter- 
tainment of the distinguished visitors. Not only was Judge 
Stewart, the President of this society, at that time, made 
president of the Tenth Congress when it met, but the table 
of contents in its annual volume contains the names of ten 
or a dozen members of this society as contributors of valua- 
ble papers and addresses. 

The round of pleasures given the visitors on this occa- 
sion included an excursion to Mont Alto park, where the 
sessions of the second day were held, and a concert and re- 
ception at Wilson College Saturday evening. At the park 
the ladies, among them colonial and other charming dames. 
gave to the members of the Congress, Governor of the State 
and other distinguished guests, their cheerful attentions in 
dispensing a generous hospitality. 

The crowning event, planned by Colonel Gilmore, chair- 
man of the executive committee, was the Covenanter service 
in the historic Rocky Spring Presbyterian church, Sunday 
morning, June 2. At 11:15 ^ le venerable Dr. Macintosh 
slowly and reverently ascended the ancient stairway to the 
high pulpit and pronounced the invocation and preached the 
sermon. Rev. Dr. Crawford read and expounded the 23rd 
Psalm. William G. Reed occupied the chair at the desk of 
the precentor and conducted the singing, while Dr. Craw- 
ford lined out the words according to the Covenanter cus- 
tom of old. The Psalm was sung to the tune of old "Flush- 
ing," the congregation heartily joining, and the precentor 
singing in a sweet tenor the closing line. Rev. Dr. Mc- 
Lanahan then read Psalm 44 and Hebrew 12. Dr. Maclos- 
kie. before offering prayer, said he was reminded of like ser- 
vices in Ireland, where he once gave lessons to a youth in 
[859, who later entered the ministry, and whose son was 
now in this country preaching the gospel. But his voice 
began to falter, and tears began to flow, while many, includ- 
ing the reporters, broke into sympathetic sobs. Said one of 
these, in his account, "Nobody could have given any good 
reason for crying, but the fact that tears did unbidden flow 
could not be denied!" Dr. Macloskie then made a fervent 



15 

prayer, thanking God for this old church and the sparkling- 
waters outside and asked blessings upon the large congrega- 
tion. ''Make them," he implored, ''as the fathers who wor- 
shipped here — faithful, and as one family." 

That the members of the Tenth Scotch-Irish Congress 
were delighted with the advancement of their work in the 
Cumberland Valley, and especially Chambersburg, the beau- 
tiful cradle city of the Scotch-Irish race in America, was 
made quite apparent in the hearty acknowledgments made 
for the historical papers prepared and handed in by mem- 
bers of the Kittochtinny society. They were equally pleased 
with the characteristic hospitality of our people. 

The time allotted to this part of the program is far too 
short to refer to the good things said of much of the work 
of this society during the past ten years. Histories, we are 
told, are as perfect as the historian is wise, and is gifted 
with an eye and soul. The immortal bard says : 

"Instructed by the antiquary times 
He must, he is, he cannot but be wise." 

Fully appreciating our short-comings, no claim is made 
for perfection in any such exalted ideals. In a fertile local 
field that has scarcely been touched, the aim is for faithful 
research and truthful narrative to aid the future historian. 
"As for a moral, if he tell his story well, it will need none; 
if he tell it ill, it will deserve none." 

To attempt a description of the social features of the 
meetings of the ten years last past were an impossible task. 
The meetings are usually held at the homes of members, 
where invited guests share in the hospitality of the host and 
hostess, and good fellowship is supreme. Here it is that 
we may 

"Laugh at the jests that never fail, 
Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale." 

"The cradle of the Scotch-Irish babe" is upon occasion 
ruthlessly rocked by the obstinate "Dutch." Harbaugh, who 
is Dutch-Scotch-Irish, hardly knew where he was at when 
asked to appear before the Scotch-Irish Congress with a 
paper. In his own words he thus meditated : "Knowing that 
I was associated somewhat with German attributes, I felt 



i6 

that I had better inquire of some of my friends what would 
be the modest and proper thing to do. Among- others I 
asked my friend, Dr. Montgomery, and said : 'You know 
of this visitation that is coming on our beautiful Valley, and 
I thought I would like to ask you' — 'O,' interrupted the 
Doctor, 'you ought to be vaccinated by all means/ ' 

Pilgrimages for the enjoyment of rural scenes and country 
life have been occasional innovations for the members of the 
society. The excursions to "Ragged Edge", upon invita- 
tion of Mr. M. C. Kennedy, its fortunate owner, were a de- 
light, not alone for the genuine hospitality of the host and 
hostess, but for the lovers of the beautiful and historic, and 
the thronging traditions and legendary lore the winding, 
tree-bordered Conococheague suggest. The subtle beauty 
and charm a visit to "Ragged Edge" afforded, never once 
found a laggard on the part of the members of this society. 

An excursion to the ancestral home of the great-hearted 
Dr. Lesley M, Kawffman, and a more recent automobile trip 
to "The Maples," the hospitable and attractive home of ex- 
Commissioner T. G. Zarger, also are lingering memories, a 
delight to dwell upon. 

To go back further is to recall an excursion to Mercers- 
burg on the evening of May I, 1902, upon invitation of Dr. 
Irvine, to hear an address, before the students, from James 
D. Law, the distinguished author and historian, on "General 
Hugh Mercer," patriot and Christian gentleman, whose ser- 
vices as a physician in the Conococheague settlement were as 
eminent as was his valor as a soldier. The members were 
accompanied by their wives and daughters, and the occasion 
proved one of the most brilliant in the history of the society. 

An exchange with kindred societies, and contributions 
from other sources, bring to the archives of this society many 
works of historic value. For these, quarters have been se- 
cured in the room of the Public Library in this building, 
(Chambersburg Trust Company), where a section is set 
apart for the Library of our society, its curios, mementoes, 
old works, maps, antiquities, rare manuscripts, and so on. 

This society is a member of the State Federation of His- 
torical Societies, and at a late meeting of the American His- 
torical Association was represented by Hon. B. M. Nead, a 
member of the Kittochtinnv Historical societv. This im- 



17 

portant affiliation greatly enhances our resources for his- 
toric research. 

An undertaking regarded of such importance as no longer 
to be neglected, is the marking of points of historic interest 
in our county, a committee appointed for this purpose, rec- 
ommending as an inauguration of the work, the marking of 
the place at Mont Alto where Captain Cook, a chief officer 
in John Brown's raid, was arrested. 

In the ten years of the existence of this society, the Grim 
Reaper has been busy with its membership. So far the 
number of our dead reaches ten — one for each year. Let 
us speak reverently of our departed companions, the Rev. 
James F. Kennedy, D. D., Captain John H. Walker, B. 
Latrobe Maurer, John M. Cooper, Captain W. H. H. 
Mackey, F. H. Shumaker, Thomas B. Kennedy, James W. 
Cree, General J. F. Boyd, and the Rev. J. Agnew Crawford, 
D. D. "Lives such as theirs build their own monument." 

The late B. Latrobe Maurer, for the first four years was 
secretary of the society. Interested from young manhood in 
our town and county's wealth of history and tradition, it 
was a devotion with him to do what he could to preserve 
and perpetuate them. As with his contributions to the 
press, his papers before this society were distinguished for 
their breadth and accuracy, and the ease and sprightliness 
of narrative given. A model secretary, his annual reports 
teem with good things said of the society. In his first re- 
port, in referring to the work accomplished, he said it was 
doing well for a child just out of its swaddling clothes and 
as it grew and continued to improve, he termed it "a proud 
boy yet in his knee breeches." Were the lamented secretary 
with us tonight — rest his soul in peace — he would see it a 
cheerful young man, and join in the wish that the Kittoch- 
tinny Historical society, like the brook, might say : 

"And men may come, and men may go, 
But I live on forever, ever; 
I live on forever." 



^=^-^=^ 



i8 



IN MEMORIAM. 



Captain John H. Walker, December 16, 1900. 

Rev. James F. Kennedy, D. D., September 6, 1901. 

B. Latrobe Maurer, Secretary, July 1, 1902. 

John M. Cooper, Esq., December 4, 1903. 

Capt. W. H. H. Mackey, January 4, 1904. 

F. H. Shumaker, Treasurer, February 28, 1904. 

Thomas B. Kennedy, Esq., June 19, 1905. 

James W. Cree, Secretary, November 12, 1906. 

Gen. J. F. Boyd, March 23, 1907. 

Rev. J. Agnew Crawford, D. D., Sept. 19, 1907. 



19 
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. 



1898—1902. 



Hon. John Stewart, President. Executive Committee: Col. James 

Rev. S. A. Martin, D. D., R. Gilmore, Chairman; Wm. 

Hon. M. A. Foltz, Vice Presidents. Alexander, Esq., Secretary; Maj. 

B. Latrobe Maurer, Secretary. Chauncey Ives. John G. Orr, Dr. 

H. A. Riddle, Treasurer. Johnston McLanahan. 

1902—1903. 

S. A. Martin, D. D., President. Executive Committee: J. W. 

Hon. M. A. Foltz, Sharpe. Esq.. Chairman; D. O. 

Col. James R. Gilmore, Vice Gehr, Esq., Secretary; Hon. W. 

Presidents. Rush Gillan, Dr. J. O. Skinner, 

B. L. Maurer, Secretary. Hon. A. N. Pomeroy. 
H. A. Riddle, Treasurer. 

1903—1904. 

Hon. M. A. Foltz, President. Executive Committee: Hon. W. 

*John G. Orr. Esq., Rush Gillan, Chairman; Hon. A. 

J. W. Sharpe, Esq., Vice Presi- N. Pomeroy. T. J. Brereton. Linn 

dents. Harbaugh, Esq., J. S, Mcllvaine, 

James W. Cree, Secretary. 

Fred H. Shoemaker, Treasurer. 



*Col. Gilmore having declined the 
1st Vice Presidency, the Nomi- 
nating Committee named Mr. 
Orr. 

1904—1905. 

John G. Orr, Esq,, President. Executive Committee: Hon. A. N. 

Joshua W. Sharpe, Esq., Pomeroy. Chairman; T. J. Brere- 

Hon. W. Rush Gillan, Vice ton, J. S. Mcllvaine, Dr. R. W. 

Presidents. Ramsey. 
James W. Cree, Secretary. 
Col. James R. Gilmore, Treasurer. 

1905—1906. 

Joshua W. Sharpe. President. Executive Committee: T. J. Brere- 

Hon. W. Rush Gillan. ton, Chairman; Linn Harbaugh. 

Hon. A. N. Pomeroy, Vice Presi- Esq., J. S. Mcllvaine. Dr. R. W. 

dents. Ramsey, Irvin C. Elder, Esq. 
James W. Cree, Secretary. 
Col. James R. Gilmore, Treasurer. 

1906—1907. 

Hon. W. Rush Gillan, President. Executive Committee: Linn Har- 

Hon. A. N. Pomeroy, baugh, Esq., Chairman, J. S. Mc- 

T. J. Brereton. Vice Presidents. Ilvaine, Dr. R. "W. Ramsey, 

Col. James R. Gilmore, Secretary. Irvin C. Elder, Esq., Hon. John 

Frank Mehaffey, Esq., Treasurer. W. Hoke. 

1907—1908. 

Hon. A. N. Pomeroy. President. Executive Committee: J. S. Mc- 

T. J. Brereton, Ilvaine, Chairman; Dr. R. \V. 

Linn Harbaugh. Esq., Vice Presi- Ramsey, Irvin C. Elder, Esq.. 

dents. Hon. John W. Hoke, Rev. E. V. 

Col. James R. Gilmore. Secretary. Collins. 
Frank Mehaffey, Treasurer. 

1908—1909. 

T. J. Brereton, President. Executive Committee: Irvin C. 

Linn Harbaugh, Esq., Elder, Chairman; Hon. John W. 

J. S. Mcllvaine, Vice Presidents. Hoke. Rev. E. V. Collins, Capt. 

Col. James R. Gilmore. Secretary. G. W. Skinner, Hon. M, A. Foltz, 

D. O. Gehr, Esq., Treasurer. Secretary. 



20 

ORIGINAL MEMBERS. 

Prof. M. H. ALEXANDER, Rev. S. A. MARTIN. D.D., 

WILLIAM ALEXANDER, Esq., JOHNSTON McLANAHAN. M. D., 

•J AMES W. CREE, Sr., JOHN M. McDOWELL, Esq., 

*Rev. J. A. CRAWFORD, D. D. J. S. McILVAINE, 

Hon. M. A. FOLTZ, *Oapt. W. H. H. MACKEY. 

Col. JAMES R. GILMORE, FRANK MEHAFFEY, Esq., 

D. O. GEHR, Esq., JOHN G. ORR. 

Mai. OHAUNOEY IVES, Hon. A. N. POMEROY. 
"Rev. JAMES F. KENNEDY. D. D., Dr. GEORGE F. PLATT, 

•THOMAS B. KENNEDY, Esq., H. A. RIDDLE. 

M C KENNEDY, Hon. JOHN STEWART, 

*B' L MAURER, JOSHUA W. SHARPE, Esq., 
tEDWARD B. WIESTLING. 

ELECTED 1898—1899. 

♦General J F BOYD, CHARLES F. PALMER, M. D., 

T. J BRERETON. R- W. RAMSEY, M. D.. 

1 1, ,n W. RUSH GILLAN, Hon. D. WATSON ROWE, 

WILLIAM S. HOERNER, Esq., *F. H. SHUMAKER. 

JOHN MONTGOMERY, M. D., f JOHN O. SKINNER, M. D. 

ELECTED 1900—1903. 

LINN HARBAUGH. Esq., THOMAS M. NELSON. 

General A. S. DAGGETT, U. S. A., WILLIAM MoCANDLISH, 

<;i:ORGE A. WOOD, IRVIN C. ELDER. Esq., 

Rev. WM. C. SCHAEFFER, D. D., M. H. REASER, Ph. D., 

Rev. RAY H. CARTER, THLODORE M. WOOD. 

ELECTED 1904. 

Hon. JOHN W. HOKE, Dr. L. M. KAUFFMAN. 

ELECTED 1905. 

ANDREW BUCHANAN, THOMAS B. KENNEDY. 

Rev. E. V. COLLINS. 

ELECTED 1906. 
O. C. BOWERS, Esq. 

ELECTED 1907. 

Rev. JOHN ALLAN BLAIR. MORRIS LLOYD. 

WALTER R. GILMORE, Esq., JOHN H. POMEROY, 

A. W GILLAN, Esq.. Capt. GEORGE! W. SKINNER. 

A. J. W. IIUTTON, Esq., R. W. TUNIS, 

Dr. M. C. IHLSENG, GEORGE C. VIEH. 

ELECTED 1908. 
Dr. P. B. MONTGOMERY, Dr. W. F. SKINNER. 

NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS. 

B. M. NEAD, Esq Harrisburg. Pa. 

Prof. M. R. ALEXANDER Hnlliduysburg, Pa. 

Rev. S. A. MARTIN, D. D Shippensburg, Pa. 

lien. A. S. PACCF.TT U. S. A. Retired. 

Rev. W. ('. SCHAEFFER, I). I) Lancaster, Pa. 

Rev. RAY H. CARTER India. 

W. M. IRVINE, Ph. D Mercersburg, Pa. 

HONORARY MEMBERS. 

GEO. O. SEILHAMER, Esq Chambersburg. Pa. 

•JOHN M. COOPER Martinsburg. Pa. 

Rev. J. C. BOWMAN. D. D Lancaster, Pa. 

J. P. MATTHEWS, Esq Baltimore, Md. 

* Deceased, t Withdrawn. 

• — -»-$— "£ oo ■£ < ■ < » — ■ 



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